City plan for pop-up pissoirs, drink police and culture to reclaim night

Nicole Hasham

Now you see it … an artist's impression of the stainless steel self-cleaning urinals, as used in Europe. Photo: Supplied

HYDRAULIC "pop-up" urinals that rise from the ground, and undercover operatives monitoring drunks in nightclubs are proposed under a plan to invigorate Sydney after dark.

Locals could be "hired" by tourists to show them the sights at night, and shops and art galleries will be encouraged to stay open late to bring older people and families into the city.

But police warn that stimulating the night economy would affect crime and order, and they may lack the resources to implement the plan.

The City of Sydney has released a strategy to revive the city at night over the next two decades, which would halve antisocial behaviour through measures such as creative outdoor lighting, cleaner streets and new CCTV cameras. Night bus services would double, and the council would encourage late-night busking and establish Australia's first 24-hour library.

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Just 6 per cent of people in the city late at night are aged 40 or over - by 2030, the council hopes that figure will be 40 per cent.

The plan, known as Open Sydney, includes a trial "white night" event where museums and art galleries would open late once a year. It would also encourage later opening hours during major events.

Retailers would be encouraged to trade later, especially around events such as Chinese New Year and Vivid Sydney.

The number of public toilets would increase, and the council will consider installing hydraulic pop-up urinals that deploy automatically at peak times.

The council's manager of the late night economy, Suzie Matthews said the stainless steel, self-cleaning devices were already used in Europe and Canada.

"The pedestrian flows and amount of alcohol consumed mean people need to urinate more frequently [in some parts of the city]," she said.

The devices would replace portable urinals which "diverted 5000 litres of wee from the streets of Sydney this summer,'' Ms Matthews said, adding ''otherwise that would be on people's front doorsteps and on our streets''.

The council will link licensed premises to a "mystery shoppers" program - observers who enter venues to gauge intoxication levels and ensure staff are not serving drunk or under-age patrons. Venues will take part voluntarily.

A "hire a local" scheme would be established, where tourists are connected with volunteers to guide them through the city

The plan called for a greater security and police presence, including police patrolling in pairs rather than large groups.

But police fear that encouraging people into the city at night will increase crime, violence and antisocial behaviour.

In a submission, it said the plan could increase demand for police resources when it was already involved in other strategies such as cracking down on Kings Cross violence.

Ms Matthews said the plan was designed to reduce alcohol-related incidents, which would "reduce the amount of work that police have to do in an incredibly tough environment".

"The point … is about expanding non-alcohol options, making sure people can safely get home, and giving more choice," she said.

112 comments

Yeah that's just what we need in Sydney. Strange drunk men pulling out their gear in public, and more local tour guides that don't want to be there scaming tourists. Who comes up with this rubbish?

No mention of transport nightmares after a night out. Nothing would improve in Sydney if the trains don't run all night.

Commenter

yab

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 7:32AM

Forget about trains. What about all those dodgy taxi drivers??? If you do hail them down, they lock their doors, pull up next to you and ask where you're going. When you tell them they say $50 for what would have been a $10 trip. No wonder why there's all these drunk people on the streets having fights. None of them can get home and get more and more angry.

Commenter

Sydney

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 7:53AM

Pop up urinals are a sensible idea. They've been used in European cities for years and noone has a problem with them there. Or does the public prefer to see urine flowing out of every doorway and side alley? Years ago I had to relieve myself in a discreet part of the city after being unable to find a toilet. The police arrested me and I had to go to court. I was let off with a warning, like most people but to this day can't believe the amount of time and resources that went into the whole thing. Hours of time at the police station, statements etc. half day off work and hours wasted in court. Get some pop up urinals in place, or provide free booth style toilets like Paris. This story has come and gone before. Just get it done already.

Commenter

undefined

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 8:41AM

First Floor: Ladies evening wear, Men's shoes, Leathergoods.

Commenter

Malik the magic sheep

Location

Sydney

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 9:31AM

Wonder if Sydney councils will be liable for the health risks associated with popup pissors.

Commenter

Regh

Date and time

February 15, 2013, 10:15AM

Looking at the design of the pop pissors, there is going to be significant spillover of urine atleast 5 m from the structure.

Who is going to clean up.

That whole area is going to reek of concentrated urine smeell.

Is this what a supposedly progressive mayor clover Moore is turning Sydney into.